Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?

• It is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

Is there only one “scientific method”?

• NO! there are several versions

• Some versions have more steps while others may have only a few.

• All begin with the identification of a problem or a question to be answered based on observations around us and provide an organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.

What is a Hypothesis?

• An educated guess based on observations and your knowledge of the topic.

What is Data?

• Information gathered during an experiment.

Steps 1 and 2

1. Identify the Problem

2. Form a Hypothesis

Steps 3 and 4

3. Create an Experiment4. Perform an ExperimentParts of an Experiment:• independent variable

– The variable changed• dependent variable

– The variable that reacts because of the change

• Control– Used as a standard of comparison

• Trials (minimum is 3)– Repeated experiments

Steps 5 and 65. Analyze the Data

6. Make Conclusions Communicate Results

Modify the Experiment (when data is inaccurate or experiment is flawed)

Hypothesis vs. Theory vs. Law

• Hypothesis: possible answer to a question• Theory: a hypothesis that has been tested and

supported many times. They serve as a basis for describing patterns that we observe in nature.– Example: The Big Bang Theory

• Law: a general statement that describes some pattern in nature. The statement must hold under the specified conditions without exception.– Example: The Law of Gravity

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